If a student is absent for whole or part of the day, it is required that parents/guardians submit one of the accepted notes below to the attendance office of the student's school within five (5) days of their absence(s).  Notes can also be uploaded into Focus via the Parent Portal.  If not received within five days, the absence will be unexcused. 

How to Submit a Note

SUBIR UNA NOTA DE AUSENCIA

• Medical Note
• Court Note 
• Official note for observance of religious holy days 
• Verification of college visit.
• Verification of Department of Motor Vehicle visit.

Parent note with the following information:

• Student Name
• Student ID number
• Date the note is written
• Date of absence
• Reason for absence
• Parent/guardian name
• Parent/guardian phone number
• Parent/guardian signature

DOWNLOAD A BLANK EXCUSE NOTE 

If a student is absent for whole or part of the day, it is required that parents/guardians submit one of the accepted notes below to the attendance office of the student's school within five (5) days of their absence(s).  Notes can also be uploaded into Focus via the Parent Portal.  If not received within five days, the absence will be unexcused. 

How to Submit a Note

SUBIR UNA NOTA DE AUSENCIA

Compulsory Attendance

Student attendance is compulsory in Texas.  All students enrolled in public schools are required to attend schools.  This applies to pre-kindergarten and kindergarten.

Link to policy: https://pol.tasb.org/PolicyOnline/PolicyDetails?key=1101&code=FEA#legalTabContent

90 Percent Rule

In order for a student to receive credit or a final grade for a class, the student must attend class 90% of the days the student is enrolled.  All absences, excused and unexcused, count against the 90 percent.

Link to policy: https://pol.tasb.org/PolicyOnline/PolicyDetails?key=1101&code=FEC#legalTabContent

• Child’s illness or injury

• Family emergency with administrator approval

• Death of a family member
• Doctor or dental appointments they cannot be scheduled outside of school hours
• Religious holy days
• Court appearances
• College visits (Juniors and Seniors only – 2 visits per year)
• Department of Motor Vehicle appointments (1 to obtain Learner’s Permit and 1 to obtain Driver’s License)
• Department of Family Protective Services appointments

Students who fail to meet the 90% attendance requirement in one or more classes, as outlined in Section 25.092 of the Texas Education Code, must submit a petition to the attendance committee if extenuating circumstances exist. The petition form must be completed in full and signed. Until the attendance committee reaches a decision, the student is required to participate in attendance restoration.

Attendance Appeal Form

• There are multiple ways to report an absence:

• Email our attendance clerks

• Submit necessary documentation in Focus, or send appropriate documentation with the student upon their return to school

We know school attendance is important, but did you know:

• Students who attend school regularly achieve at higher levels than students who do not attend school regularly

• Students who miss 10% of the school year are missing nearly 1 month of instruction

• A history of chronic absenteeism is a common trait among high school dropouts